Housing and the Inclusive Society - Essay Example

?Housing and the inclusive society Housing is something that forms a very important part of the social sector of any economy. Different policies needto be laid down by the governments or those in power, in order to help the needy and make sure that the citizens of that particular state or country have the right and capability to have shelter above their heads. These policies are usually analyzed as per the economic terms that the state lays down. The European Union quarters some of the most sustainable ideas in terms of living and has some very strategic goals that lead to completely eradicate social exclusion and poverty. According to the EU, as per the Charter of its Fundamental Rights, and as quoted by the Joint Report by the Commission and the Council on Social Inclusion, adopted by the council (EPSCO) on 4th March 2004, the definition of Social Inclusion stands as “Social Inclusion is a process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusions gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living and well being that is considered normal in the society in which they live. It ensures that they have greater participation in decision making which affects their lives and access to their fundamental rights.” Poverty and other factors: Poverty is a factor that divides people into the haves and have not’s. However, when one looks at social inclusion, it is an aspect that can do away with poverty and in fact, unite people. Inclusion is a factor that stresses upon people that they should live together, and work towards a single purpose. Social exclusion takes place when certain people living in a society are pushed right to the edge because they do not have as many resources or means to live as others might. They do not possess the basic amenities and that is why, they are left out or face discrimination by other people. They do not have the ability to take control over their lives because they do not have any property to their name so they end up feeling so helpless and powerless. However, social exclusion is not always about only poverty; the term coined ‘les exclus’ referred to those whose income bracket did not meet sufficient standards. People can also face exclusion or be excluded from housing because they are disabled, or might have a different sexual orientation. When a person is excluded from society, this means that he has been stripped of all his participation powers and does not get a say in how things should work. That is why, much is being done to make sure that no citizen feels this way, and that everyone gets equal participation in the framework of tasks carried out within a society. (Atkinson, 1998) The private rented sector contributes to social inclusion and exclusion in the following ways: The housing systems in different economies are one of the main reasons why exclusion might take place. This includes that there might be many who are not able to afford the rent or pay their landlords the amount asked for, and thus are not able to get a house for themselves. People who have low or marginal incomes are not able to afford the rent and so are excluded from housing societies. The amenities provided inside, like the heating or the fuel systems and such other resources might not be affordable by the tenants waiting to take the house on rent. Apart from this, many disabled people just might not be able to live in homes that are not designed for their needs, for example, they might not have stairs for wheelchairs, and thus these people cannot live in such accommodations. Many landlords still practice discrimination today, and everything cannot be checked by the governments at all times. Many potential tenants do not even have the information about housing locations and this leaves them out of the private rented sector, and otherwise, they are located in specific areas, thus leading to exclusion of people who do not belong to those areas. In order to fix these problems, much could be done to ensure that most people get the benefits out of the private rented sector. Landlords can take efforts to check the amount of rent being charged and not charge people on the basis of their incomes, or discriminate against them. For special people, accommodations could be made inside the houses and the heating and fuel systems could be compromised on. They could also refer these tenants to agencies that will give them all the information and consultation and guide them through a standard of better living. If landlords feel that a certain section of people will not be able to afford the rent, then they can contact the local authorities and find a way to find these people homes so that at least they have some form of assured shelter. Homelessness caused by the private rented sector could be checked as landlords can provide correct information to people about where and how to rent. In Scotland, positive planning in terms of the community and housing has been seen as something that is up and coming. (O’Toole, 2007) In August of 2000, an initiative was launched that aimed to promote the objectives of social inclusion, by doing away with exclusion, deprivation and by the eradication of poverty. The commencement of the Scottish Social Inclusion Programs was a big step taken that heralded the housing programs. For example, steps were taken in order to listen to the community and see what it was that people, who were deprived and shunned from a community, wanted and needed. Calum MacDonald, the Scottish regeneration minister in 1998, made sure that people were not only given communities to live in, but also faced public participation and were not left out. People living on the streets, begging, or living rough, get frustrated with their lives and that is why the take part in crimes and vandalism in the streets and monuments. They only participate in such activities because they feel that they do not have a voice that can be heard by the other members of society. (Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU, 2010) Thus, they could be provided with solace in terms of helping to look for homes for them and giving them shelter. With the help of this knowledge that the nation already possesses, or the private homes and households, that consist of people who are at par with their lifestyles, steps have to be taken in order to ensure that such people do not feel left out. This problem can be tackled only by acceptance. The social sector has to look at every aspect and work with the local authorities in order to make sure that steps are being taken to include all kinds of people into society. Therefore, the private rented sector can learn to make sure that tenants get proper access to benefits and are able to afford rents, proper housing stock and fuel and heating efficiency plans are laid out for their perusal, and proper advice and consultation is given to tenants as to what kind of homes, and in which locations can be adopted by them, so that they are able to improve their opportunities and widen their horizons in terms of housing. The best part about addressing this concept of social inclusion is that it looks at every factor of an individual’s life. It helps the person to overcome the problem of income, helps him come to par with society and be treated as an equal, as well as motivates him to put in more efficiency in work and his family life. Such values and morals form the very core of this entire concept that has been adopted by the EU. Common goals can only be accomplished by acknowledging people from all walks of life, and these labor laws that enforce and make people look into such facts of life are what are required to bring people together. Households and homes are a very integral part of anybody’s life and having a proper place to live in can really identify a person. It makes people who they are, because it helps to shape up every aspect of their life. It is the place where people spend most of their time, and mostly, try to understand and get to know themselves. If an individual has the scope to do that freely, in his own space and privacy, then it will only prove beneficial to the environment around him and lead him to comprehend the higher and more vital collective goal of development for the entire nation. REFERENCES Atkinson, R. and Kintrea, K. (2002) ‘Area Effects: What Do They Mean for British Housing and Regeneration Policy?’, European Journal of Housing Policy 2(2), 147–166.  Fyfe, D. (2009) Tackling Mulitple Deprivation in Communities: Considering the Evidence. Scottish Government Social Research paper.  Hayes, A., Gray, M., Edwards, B. (2008) Social Inclusion: Origins, Concepts and key themes. Australian Institute of Family Studies for Australian Govt, Dept of Prime Minister and cabinet. Available at: http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/Documents/AIFS%20social%20inclusion%20concepts%20RTF%20(w%20ISBN).rtf  Kleinman, M. (2000) ‘Include Me Out?: The New Politics of Place and Poverty’, Policy Studies Vol. 21 no. 1, pp.49-61.  Lister, R. (2004) Poverty. Cambridge, Polity Press.  Chapter 4 Poverty and Social Exclusion is a recommended introduction. Sim, D. (2004) ‘The social justice agenda’ in Sim, D. (ed.) Housing and public policy in post-devolution Scotland, Coventry: Chartered Institute of Housing. Bardone and Guio. 2005. Poverty. [Online source] Birmingham 1906-65 [Online source] available at http:// http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/brave_new_world/birmingham.htm Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU, 2010. [Online] Available at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/poverty_social_exclusion_en.htm  O’Toole, R. 2007. The best-laid plans: how government planning harms your quality of life, your pocketbook, and your future. Cato Institute. Read More